Outgoing COAS pays farewell calls on president, PM

 Both pay rich tributes to his invaluable services; corps commanders also hail professional acumen, leadership of Raheel Sharif; COAS visits ISI HQs

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid glowing tributes to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif for his invaluable services in curbing the menace of extremism and terrorism through the Operation Zarb-e-Azb and restoration of law and order in all parts of the country.

The president eulogised the professionalism and preparedness of the Pakistan Army and said the defence of the country is in safe and capable hands. President Mamnoon expressed these views while talking to General Raheel Sharif, who paid a farewell call on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday.

He said the professional and leadership qualities of General Raheel Sharif as Chief of the Army Staff will always be remembered. He expressed his good wishes for General Raheel Sharif and his family members in their future life.

General Raheel Sharif thanked the president for his guidance and support in discharge of his official responsibilities. Meanwhile, the outgoing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, who paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House on Monday, appreciated the decision about his successor.

He has expressed the hope that General Qamar Javed Bajwa would lead the world’s best army in a befitting manner. The general who had been a frequent visitor of the Prime Minister’s House during his tenure in office for three years and most of the time in his military fatigues turned up for the last time in uniform in residential office of the chief executive of the country and it was the last day of his 41 years of splendid service with the army.

He was received by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his chamber with his traditional smile and took him inside for a chat. They had candid discussion covering from pleasant memories to certain subjects related to security for about three quarters of an hour.

The premier was generous while praising General Raheel Sharif for his valuable services rendered as the army chief. He extended his best wishes for his post retirement life and happiness for his family.

Prime Minister Nawaz, who is known for his hospitality, came out of his office to see off the outgoing army chief and he was joined by his Special Assistant for Political Affairs Dr Syed Asif Saeed Kirmani, Secretary Fawad Hasan Fawad, Military Secretary Brigadier Akmal Aziz and other senior members of the personal staff of the prime minister. The premier came down to the portico of the residential area to see the distinguished guest off. 

General Raheel in his usual humble thanked the prime minister for his gesture of coming to the porch and recalled that he throughout had been munificent in his dealing. With this the cavalcade of the army chief left the Prime Minister House for his other engagements of the day.

Meanwhile, General Raheel Sharif chaired a farewell Corps Commanders Conference at GHQ on Monday. Conference was attended by General Qamar Javed Bajwa, COAS designate, Corps Commanders and Principal Staff Officers. 

During the meeting, the corps commanders paid rich tributes to General Raheel Sharif for his leadership and professional acumen and lauded his services for the country, says an ISPR press release.

General Raheel congratulated the Chief of Army Staff designate for his elevation to the rank of General and appointment as COAS.

General Raheel Sharif said it was a matter of great pride for him to have commanded the most battle hardened army in the world for three years. He appreciated the corps commanders for their cooperation during his tenure and said the successes achieved during his tenure would not have been possible without contribution by each one of them.

As part of farewell visits, General Raheel Sharif visited ISI Headquarters Islamabad on Monday, says an ISPR press release. On arrival at headquarters, He was received by  DG ISI Lt. General Rizwan Akhtar. COAS paid rich tributes to the sacrifices and successes of officers and men of ISI in fighting terrorism and strengthening defence of the motherland.